Sponge board device

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a device for squeezing water out of a sponge board (1) having a bow handle (2) arranged on a backing plate (14), the device comprising a perforated base plate (3) and a pressure element (4), wherein the perforated base plate (3) comprises multiple drainage openings (5) for allowing water to drain from an upper surface (6) of the perforated base plate; and the pressure element (4) comprises a first end (7), a second end (8), at least one pressure surface (11) and a recess (9), the recess is arranged to accommodate the bow handle (2) when the sponge board (1) is arranged on the upper surface (6) of the perforated base plate (3), the first end (7) is pivotably connected to the perforated base plate by at least one hinge (12) and the second end (8) is distal from the first end and comprises a push handle (10), and the pressure element (4) may pivot between a first position, wherein the sponge board (1) may be arranged on the upper surface (6) of the perforated base plate (3), and a second position, wherein the at least one pressure surface (11) is parallel to, and at a predetermined distance from, the upper surface (6) of the perforated plate (3), wherein the device comprises means for changing the predetermined distance of the at least one pressure surface (11) in the second position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of sponge boards, and more particularly to a device for squeezing water out of a sponge board.

BACKGROUND

Sponge boards are commonly used in a number of tiling and plastering operations, such as washing of tiles to remove grout residues and providing an even finish to joints and plaster. In these operations excess water including sand, grout residues etc. must frequently be removed from the sponge board (or sponge float) to avoid washing away too much of the joint or plaster, and avoid diluting the grout in the joints. The main difference between sponge boards used for different types of operations, are the structure, size and thickness of the sponge.

Presently the most common method of removing water from a sponge board is using a bucket provided with a number of rollers upon which the sponge board is repeatedly guided, about 5-8 times, to squeeze the water out of the sponge and into the bucket. Such bucket is commonly termed a washboy. The frequent repetition of squeezing out the water is demanding on the persons performing this type of work, especially on the wrists, arms and shoulders.

An alternative method and device for squeezing water out of a sponge board is described in DE 20117581 U1. The device comprises a hinged pressure element arranged to squeeze a sponge board towards a perforated plate, such that the water is drained into a bucket. The pressure element is parallel to the perforated plate at a fixed distance from the perforated plate. The device is thus able to evenly squeeze a sponge board having a set thickness. Sponge boards of larger or smaller thickness will not be squeezed evenly since the pressure element will not be parallel to the perforated plate at the required distance, and the water remaining in the sponge board will be distributed unevenly.

Thus, there is a need for a device for squeezing water out of a sponge board which avoids at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device for squeezing water out of a sponge board. The device is defined in the appended claims and in the following:

In a first embodiment, the invention provides a device for squeezing water out of a sponge board having a bow handle arranged on a backing plate, the device comprising a perforated base plate and a pressure element, wherein

-   -   the perforated base plate comprises multiple drainage openings         for allowing water to drain from an upper surface of the         perforated base plate; and     -   the pressure element comprises a first end, a second end, at         least one pressure surface and a recess, the recess is able to         accommodate the bow handle when the sponge board is arranged on         the upper surface of the perforated base plate, the first end is         pivotably connected to the perforated base plate by at least one         hinge and the second end is distal from the first end and         comprises a push handle, and the pressure element may pivot         between a first position, wherein the sponge board may be         arranged on the upper surface of the perforated base plate, and         a second position, wherein the at least one pressure surface is         parallel to, and at a predetermined distance from, the upper         surface of the perforated plate,         wherein the device comprises means for changing the         predetermined distance of the at least one pressure surface in         the second position.

Preferably, the multiple drainage openings are sized to drain sand and grout residue in addition to the water.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the means for changing the predetermined distance of the at least one pressure surface in the second position comprises at least one interchangeable adapter on the pressure element, said interchangeable adapter comprising the at least one pressure surface.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the interchangeable adapter comprises a first plate element comprising the at least one pressure surface, wherein the thickness of the first plate element decides the size of the predetermined distance.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the at least one interchangeable adapter comprises a first and a second interconnected plate element, each plate element comprising a pressure surface, the first and the second plate element being parallel and of different thickness, such that the interchangeable adapter may be arranged with the pressure surface of the first or the second plate element facing the upper surface of the perforated base plate to provide a first or a second predetermined distance, respectively, between the at least one pressure surface and the upper surface of the perforated base plate when the pressure element is in the second position.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the first and the second plate element are interconnected by a connecting element, such that the interchangeable adapter may be releasably fastened to the pressure element, preferably by being clipped onto the pressure element.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the interchangeable adapter provides increased stiffness to the pressure element.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the pressure element is pretensioned towards the first position. The pressure element may be pretensioned by a spring, and preferably by an internal spring in the at least one hinge.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the perforated base plate comprises guide rails for centering the sponge board upon the perforated base plate.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the pressure element may be locked in the second position, preferably by at least one locking arm pivotably connected to the perforated base plate or a guide rail.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the pressure element comprises two parallel arms interconnected by the push handle, and the recess is provided by a longitudinal opening formed between the two parallel arms.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the at least one interchangeable adapter is arranged on the parallel arms.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the push handle is bow shaped and comprises an upper rounded surface extending away from the perforated base plate.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the device comprises stopping means for preventing the pressure element from pivoting beyond the second position. The stopping means may for instance comprise at least one stopping block arranged on the perforated base plate, and at least one cooperating stopping block or stopping surface arranged on the pressure element.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention, the means for changing the predetermined distance of the at least one pressure surface in the second position comprises means for raising or lowering the level of the at least one hinge in relation to the perforated base plate. Such means may comprise any type of connection between the at least one hinge and the perforated base plate which may be extended or shortened in order to change the predetermined distance.

The term “pivoting beyond the second position” is intended to mean that the at least one pressure surface may not be closer to the perforated plate than it is in the second position.

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in detail by reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view from a different angle of the embodiment in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 1, featuring a sponge board.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment in FIG. 1, featuring a sponge board.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of two interchangeable adapters for use with the embodiment in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are perspective views of an embodiment according to the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 arranged on a wash bucket.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment according to the invention featuring means for changing the level of the hinges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is shown in FIG. 1. The device is suitable for evenly squeezing water out of a sponge board. A sponge board 1 comprises a sponge 26, a backing plate 14 on which the sponge is fastened, and a handle 2. The handle is usually bow shaped and attached to the backing plate. Depending on the design of the device, the handle may in stead of being bow shaped comprise a shaft which is pivotably connected to the backing plate (not shown).

The device comprises a perforated base plate 3 pivotably connected by hinges 12 to a pressure element 4 having two pressure surfaces 11. The perforated base plate comprises multiple drainage openings 5 to allow water, sand and grout residues from a sponge board 1 to drain from the upper surface 6 of the base plate. In use the device is arranged on a suitable wash bucket (see FIG. 8) into which the water is collected. In this particular embodiment, the perforated base plate has flanges 21 for arranging the device on or in the suitable bucket. The flanges also ensure that the perforated base plate 3 is sufficiently rigid, i.e. does not bend during use.

The pressure element 4 comprises two parallel arms 20 interconnected by a push handle 10. The two parallel arms are arranged at a distance from each other, such that an opening or recess 9 is formed between them. At one end 7 (i.e. the first end), opposite the push handle, the parallel arms are connected to the perforated base plate by the hinges 12. Each of the parallel arms 20 comprises an interchangeable adapter 13 featuring a pressure surface 11 (i.e. means for changing the predetermined distance), see also FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the interchangeable adapters 13 are designed as longitudinal elements which may be clipped onto the parallel arms. The longitudinal element comprises a first 15 and a second 16 plate element interconnected by a third plate element 17 (i.e. a connecting element). When clipped onto the parallel arms 20, one side of the first 15 or the second 16 plate elements constitutes the pressure surface 11 of the pressure element 4. The thickness of the first plate element 15 is smaller than the thickness of the second plate element 16. By being clipped onto the parallel arms, the adapters also improve the bending stiffness of the pressure element. It should be noted that other solutions for adapters suitable to provide a pressure surface having a required predetermined distance, i.e. able to vary the predetermined distance, would be apparent to the skilled person based on the present disclosure. Further, in other embodiments the predetermined distance may also be varied without the use of interchangeable adapters, for instance by having means for raising and/or lowering the level of the hinges 12 in relation to the perforated base plate (i.e. means for changing the predetermined distance), see FIG. 9 and description below.

The pressure element may pivot between a first and a second position. In the first position, the pressure element 4 extends away from the perforated base plate 3, allowing a sponge board 1 to be arranged on the upper surface of said plate, see FIGS. 1 to 3. In the second position, as in FIG. 4, but without the locking arms 19 being engaged, the pressure element is arranged such that the pressure surfaces 11 are parallel to the upper surface 6 of the perforated plate. In the second position the pressure surfaces are at a predetermined distance from the perforated base plate. The size of the desired predetermined distance will depend on the type of sponge board 1 to be used. For instance, in a typical sponge board for washing of tiles the sponge 26 have a thickness of 30 mm or 35 mm, while the thickness of the backing board remains the same. If the predetermined distance in the second position is not adapted to the correct sponge board thickness, an uneven pressure is applied to the sponge causing too much water to remain in parts of the sponge. By selecting the appropriate first 15 or second 16 plate element for providing the pressure surface 11 for a specific sponge board, a correct predetermined distance and an even pressure on the sponge is achieved. As an example only, a sponge board for washing of tiles will commonly feature a sponge 26 with a thickness of 30 mm and require a predetermined distance of about 9 mm plus the thickness of the backing plate, while a similar sponge board having a sponge with a thickness of 35 mm will require a larger predetermined distance of about 12 mm plus the thickness of the backing plate. In addition, sponge boards for other types of operation, such as plaster finishing, may require sponges changing in thickness from about 10 mm to 40 mm and the required predetermined distance will vary accordingly. Further, the required predetermined distance will also depend on the type of sponge material, i.e. the compressibility of the sponge, and the thickness of the backing plate.

The guide rails 18 arranged on the perforated base plate ensures that the sponge board 1 is centered on the perforated base plate. In many sponge boards 1, the connection between the handle 2 and the backing plate 14 comprises a raised section on the backing plate to ensure sufficient strength of the connection. If the sponge board is arranged too far off center on the perforated base plate, parts of the pressure surface 11 may push against the raised section in the second position, thus causing an uneven pressure on the sponge.

At least one of the hinges 12 comprises an internal spring pretensioned towards moving the pressure element into the first position. In this way, the person using the device avoids having to raise the pressure element manually after each use. The spring is arranged inside the hinge to protect it from wear due to the presence of sand and grout residues in the water squeezed out of the sponge board. As described above, the device is intended to be arranged on a wash bucket, see FIG. 8. Such a wash bucket 22 comprises a handle 23 for carrying the bucket. When the device is in the first position, the handle 23 of the bucket would have to extend far above said bucket to pass above the pressure element 4 extending away from the perforated base plate 3. To avoid such an extended handle, the pressure element 4 may be locked in the second position by use of the locking arms 19, see FIG. 4 and FIG. 8. The locking arms are pivotably connected to the guide rails or the perforated base plate. A further advantage of being able to lock the pressure element in the second position is that the bow handle of a sponge board may function as a carrying handle for the device itself.

The push handle 10 at the second end 8 of the pressure element is bow shaped and comprises an upper rounded surface extending away from the perforated base plate. By ensuring a sufficient gap between the push handle and the perforated base plate in the second position, the device may also be used for sponge boards comprising a pole handle, as long as the pole handle is pivotably connected to the backing plate of the sponge board.

The device may further comprise stopping means 24, 25 for preventing the pressure element 4 to pivot beyond the second position, see FIGS. 6 and 7. In this embodiment, the stopping means comprises stopping blocks 24 arranged on the perforated base plate 3, in this case the stopping blocks 24 are integrated in the guide rails 18, and a cooperative stopping block 25 arranged on each of the parallel arms 20. By preventing the pressure element from pivoting beyond the second position, an even pressure is achieved on a sponge board even if the interchangeable adapters 13 do not provide the exact required predetermined distance, i.e. if the sponge is thinner than a sponge suitable for the specific predetermined distance provided by the adapters. This is advantageous if a non-standard sponge board is used, however, the main advantage is that the stopping means help secure the pressure element 4 when locked in the second position by use of the locking arms. An embodiment wherein the level of the hinges may be varied/changed (i.e. a means for changing the predetermined distance) is shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 displays an expanded cutout to better show the means for raising or lowering the level of the hinges 12. In this embodiment the hinges are connected to a flange 27 on the perforated base plate 3 by use of screws/bolts 28. The screws/bolts are fastened via vertically extending longitudinal openings 29 in the flange, such that the level of the hinges, and consequently the predetermined distance at which the pressure surfaces 11 of the pressure element 4 and the perforated base plate 3 are parallel, may be varied in a vertical direction (vertical in relation to the horizontally arranged base plate 3). Further embodiments, wherein the level of the hinges 12 may be varied, would be apparent to the skilled person based on the present disclosure. Such embodiments may feature any type of vertically extendable connection between the hinges and the perforated base plate, such as telescopic arms that may be locked at a required level (e.g. the arm sections 30 connecting the hinges are extendable to various required levels), a flange on the perforated base plate wherein each of the vertically extending longitudinal openings 29, shown in FIG. 9, is replaced by multiple openings arranged at levels corresponding to different predetermined distances, and similar.

All of the described embodiments provide a device wherein the action of squeezing water out of a sponge board only requires a single movement, and which action provides an even pressure over the length of the sponge board ensuring that a correct amount of water is squeezed out of the sponge, each and every time the action is repeated, without any excess water being present in parts of the sponge. 

1. A device for squeezing water out of a sponge board having a bow handle arranged on a backing plate, the device comprising a perforated base plate and a pressure element, wherein the perforated base plate comprises multiple drainage openings for allowing water to drain from an upper surface of the perforated base plate; and the pressure element comprises a first end, a second end, at least one pressure surface and a recess, the recess is arranged to accommodate the bow handle when the sponge board is arranged on the upper surface of the perforated base plate, the first end is pivotably connected to the perforated base plate by at least one hinge and the second end is distal from the first end and comprises a push handle, and the pressure element may pivot between a first position, wherein the sponge board may be arranged on the upper surface of the perforated base plate, and a second position, wherein the at least one pressure surface is parallel to, and at a predetermined distance from, the upper surface of the perforated plate, wherein the device comprises means for changing the predetermined distance of the at least one pressure surface in the second position.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the means for changing the predetermined distance of the at least one pressure surface in the second position comprises at least one interchangeable adapter on the pressure element, said interchangeable adapter comprising the at least one pressure surface.
 3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the interchangeable adapter comprises a first plate element comprising the at least one pressure surface, wherein the thickness of the first plate element decides the size of the predetermined distance.
 4. A device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least one interchangeable adapter comprises a first and a second interconnected plate element, each plate element comprising a pressure surface, the first and the second plate element being parallel and of different thickness, such that the interchangeable adapter may be arranged with the pressure surface of the first or the second plate element facing the upper surface of the perforated base plate to provide a first or a second predetermined distance, respectively, between the at least one pressure surface and the upper surface of the perforated base plate when the pressure element is in the second position.
 5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the first and the second plate element are interconnected by a connecting element such that the interchangeable adapter may be releasably fastened to the pressure element, preferably by being clipped onto the pressure element.
 6. A device according to claim 2, wherein the interchangeable adapter provides increased stiffness to the pressure element.
 7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure element is pretensioned towards the first position, preferably by an internal spring in the at least one hinge.
 8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the perforated base plate comprises guide rails for centering the sponge board upon the perforated base plate.
 9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure element may be locked in the second position, preferably by at least one locking arm pivotably connected to the perforated base plate.
 10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure element comprises two parallel arms interconnected by the push handle, and the recess is provided by a longitudinal opening formed between the two parallel arms.
 11. A device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one interchangeable adapter is arranged on the parallel arms.
 12. A device according to claim 1, wherein the push handle is bow shaped and comprises an upper rounded surface extending away from the perforated base plate.
 13. A device according to claim 1, comprising stopping means for preventing the pressure element from pivoting beyond the second position.
 14. A device according to claim 1, wherein the means for changing the predetermined distance of the at least one pressure surface in the second position comprises means for raising or lowering the level of the at least one hinge 12 in relation to the perforated base plate
 3. 